[Windmount Stables] Spear Meets Bow (Markus

[Jaelyn Baroth]

The next target came up quickly after the first, and Jaelyn was caught slightly off guard. She struck with her spear, but it was too late. The point passed harmlessly past the target.

Clenching her jaw in determination Jaelyn narrowed her focus, trusting to her horse to continue its path, and eyes narrowed slightly she focused on the next target. Quickly she lashed out, and managed a glancing blow against the target this time.

She couldn't celebrate this time, as the fourth target was already coming in range. She needed something better than just a glancing blow to be effective in combat, and so this time she leaned more forward and aimed for the center of the target's torso. A satisfying thud was the response to her blow, but as she tried to withdraw her spear she found it a bit stuck in the wood of the target.

There wasn't much time to react, and so Jaelyn simply held tight to the shaft of her spear as her horse continued its forward charge. There was a sharp jolt as the spear pulled free, a bolt of pain shooting out from her shoulder, and the fifth target passed as she righted herself and reaffirmed her grip on her spear.

Feeling the throbbing in her shoulder Jaelyn approached the final target, not wanting to just give up, and gave a final thrust of her spear. The point bit into the target lightly, and then slid off as her horse carried her away. Breathing a little heavily she wheeled the horse about using her left hand on the reigns, and turned to see how Markus had fared. Her spear held aloft she didn't notice that its length amplified the slight trembling of her arm as she struggled against the pain in her shoulder.

[Markus Andres]

Markus didn't waste the time that had been given to him with his lucky shot. It was a competition and Markus didn't let anyone beat him in a competition, no matter how attractive they might be. Markus also noticed that any restraints or worries he might have had, had also vanished when it turned into a competition. He spent the extra time making sure the horse was headed in the right direction. Cutting a path real close to the third target. Getting accustomed to the rhythm of the horse's canter. Carefully determining the height of the target. Clear an arrow from his quiver. Put it on the string. Firmly pull the string back to the anchoring point. Released the arrow from the string. And all of his effort to ensure the perfect shot... Was completely wasted as the arrow flew right by the target and continued some 30 yards into the distance before embedding itself into the ground. Markus quickly spun in the saddle, to prepare for the ride by shot, but it seemed the horse understood that as a signal to veer to the left. Markus simply couldn't adjust to the change in time. He would just have to focus on the next target and get his horse on the right track again. When he saw the next target come up, fast, he realized that he wouldn't be able to get the horse on track before the next target, so he figured it would be tactical sound to go for the last two targets, rather than clumsily attempting to get all three targets. Markus passed by the fourth target without attempting a shot at it. Markus steered his horse to the right. Pulled out an arrow and took careful aim. He felt like he had synced with the horse. Feeling the rhythm, anticipating it. Waiting for the right moment. Twaang - The arrow connected with the fifth target. Markus' focus changed to the last target. If he could just hit the target. He would beat his previous record. He took the, hopefully, last arrow he was going to fire. Placed it on the string and pulled it back. The anchor-point being embedded into his brain by then. He held his breath as the arrow left the bow. Gracing right by the target. Markus let out a small curse as he desperately grasped for another arrow and firing it without taking careful aim. For the target was right by him. The arrow went directly into the ground. Markus twisted his back as far around he could. With the last shot he knew he would get off. The arrow left the string. Hit the furthest down on the target that was possible. The string snapping into his metal-armored underside for the tenth time that day, but unlike the other times, this time, the string snapped. "Hey!" Markus yelled as he pushed his visor up and rode over to Jaelyn. Too caught up in his eager to win any competition he encountered, to notice her trembling spear. "My string snapped." he said with a grin as he held the bow out so she could see the string hang down. "But I think I got 4 targets... A new personal rec..-ord... Are you alright?" Markus asked as his voice went from , as he finally noticed the trembling spear and looked to her shoulder.

[Jaelyn Baroth]

At Markus' approach Jaelyn pushed up her own visor, giving him a small smile in a attempt to hide her pain, "That is bad luck, but you managed to get four targets still? That is quite good," at Markus' question as to her being alright she blinked, wondering how he knew, "Ah... I just strained my shoulder during one of my strikes. A foolish mistake, but it should not be terrible. I will go and visit the Soothing Waters later."

Planting her spear in the ground with a faint grimace she gingerly offered her right hand to Markus, "It would seem we have a draw then, as I got four targets as well. Perhaps we should do both activities then, since in a manner of speaking we both won."

She was curious about why he wanted to spend more time with her, but now didn't seem to be the appropriate time to ask. She would try to remember to ask him later.

[Markus Andres]

Markus was a bit surprised to hear she had injured herself. "I could escort you there if you'd like?" Markus said with a smile. The Soothing Waters. A fine place to visit. Markus went there quite often, since his body was quite often drenched in either sweat or mud. She stuck her spear into the ground and Markus saw the grimace on her attractive features. It pained him a bit to see that, but he pushed away that feeling. There was nothing he could do for her. She held her hand out for him. Markus grabbed it with care. "Really, four targets?" The inner competitor in Markus almost had him look around for proof of this... Draw. But he kept his ego in check with a silent vow to beat her one day. "While injured, that is quite a feat. Very impressive. Thank you for a good competition." Markus looked to the bow. Wondering if he was to replace the whole bow, or if someone could just restring it. He really hoped for the latter, not that money was an issue for him. "But I must go collect the arrows I used first, wouldn't do well if I returned with both a broken bow and a dozen missing arrows." He gave Jaelyn a wink and went to collect the arrows before returning to her again. It didn't take long. Except for his exceptionally bad third shot.

[Jaelyn Baroth]

Jaelyn blinked in surprise at Markus' offer to escort her to the Soothing Waters. Why would she need an escort when she had hurt her shoulder? She pondered on it a moment, and then her eyes widened slightly as Markus' actions that day clicked into place. Could it be he was interested in her romantically?

"I... You would be welcome to come along if you wish," she finally replied with a soft smile and the faintest touch of a blush on her cheeks, "And my score is not nearly as impressive as yours. You were riding a horse at full speed while firing a bow. I was simply riding by them while striking with my spear. If I had been using my sword I would have easily hit all six," there was no real pride in her voice as she said this, just a sense of surety that it was truth.

Quietly she watched as Markus went about retrieving his arrows. Could he truly be interested in her? It would explain why he wanted to watch the sunset with her... It was a flattering idea as well, but she would have to find out the truth, and if he did think of her that way she'd have to talk with him about it. She could afford no distractions before her Quest.

[Markus Andres]

Markus was very happy that Jaelyn had accepted to let him escort her to the soothing waters. It would be an opportunity to get to know her better and perhaps charm her some more. But looking past her gender, she wasn't all that terrible to hang out with. When Markus returned after having gathered all the arrows. "Let's go." He said with an authoritative voice, yet with a friendly smile on his lips. He waited a moment, so Jaelyn could pick up her spear as he signaled the horse to move forward in a fast trot towards the stables. His horse could use a good last workout before being stabled for an unknown period of time.

[Tabarnac]

XP Award! Jaelyn XP Award: Riding + 4; Horsemanship +1; Seduction +1; Spear +3 Markus XP Award: Riding + 4; Horsemanship +1; Shortbow +4; Seduction +2; Leadership +1 Additional Notes: Good work, my awkward turtles. Markus got a mite more weapons training because he was warming up beforehand, and that’s important. Otherwise injuries occur, as Jaelyn found out. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or concerns. Keep writing!